Are you getting frustrated due to frequent watery eyes? Well, who wouldn’t be? Watery eyes can blur your vision and others may mistake it for you being emotional. They occur when your eyes produce more tears than usual. Tears are produced by your body naturally to maintain fluid in your eyes and help protect them from external objects, such as sand and dust.
This is the reason you may feel that your eyes are watering when you are walking outside when there is a thunderstorm or strong winds. Your eye glands produce tears and oils to keep your eye lubricated. When the tears increase, they may overflow on your cheeks.
Watery eyes, known as epiphora can happen to anyone and the condition is completely curable. Moreover, you can take certain measures to prevent your eyes from watering. In this article, we will discuss the causes, treatment, and prevention of watery eyes.
Table of Contents
Causes Of Watery Eyes
In most instances, watery eyes are a symptom of another condition or are triggered due to environmental causes. Some usual watery eye causes are:
1. Dry eye
Dry eye is a medical disease that can make your eyes overly dry because they are producing fewer tears or due to old age or other irritants, such as smoke and pollution. Dry eye can also happen as you get old. Apart from that, factors such as unclean environment, certain medications, and some diseases can also cause dry eye syndrome. Moreover, prolonged screen time and contact lens use can also result in dry eye. You may feel itching and redness in your eyes if you have dry eyes. The itching and dryness of the eye can lead to a reflex response of the glands responsible for producing and making your eyes watery.
2. Allergies
An allergic reaction can cause your eyes to become watery and itchy. You may also get other symptoms like cough, sneezing, rashes, etc. or it may be a stand-alone allergic symptom. Nut allergy, pollen, or pet allergy are some of the allergies you may have. If you have an allergic reaction, you should visit your nearest hospital. Avoiding any known allergens can prevent allergy. Moreover, anti-histamines and other over—the—counter drugs can also help treat and prevent allergies.
3. Irritants
If you live in a polluted area, you may be more prone to watery eyes as sand, dust, and pollen can get into your eyes more frequently. It can also happen if foreign objects, such as eyelashes or makeup residue get in your eyes and irritate them. Removing the cause of the trigger can resolve watery eyes.
4. Infections
Eye infections, such as pink eye and blepharitis, can cause watery eyes. Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is an infection that results in swelling around the eyelid tissue. It can cause itching and redness in your eyes. Pink eye can be viral or bacterial and its treatment may vary accordingly. You can resolve viral pink eye at home, however bacterial pink eye may need medications after a checkup from an eye specialist. Similarly, blepharitis causes inflammation around the eyelids and is not contagious. It can be chronic depending on the disease that is causing it. Dry eye and eye infections, such as pink eye and blepharitis, can cause watery eyes.
Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is an infection that results in swelling around the eyelid tissue. It can cause itching and redness in your eyes. Pink eye can be viral or bacterial and its treatment may vary accordingly. You can resolve viral pink eye at home, however bacterial pink eye may need medications after a checkup from an eye specialist.
Similarly, blepharitis causes inflammation around the eyelids and is not contagious. It can be chronic depending on the disease that is causing it. Dry eye, allergy, rosacea, infections, and dermatitis among others can cause this disease. Cleaning the eye with water and applying a warm compress can improve the symptoms but sometimes you may require antibiotics for a complete cure.
5. Tear duct blockage
The glands create tears and they keep your eyes moist and clean. After washing your eye, the tears drain into a duct. Sometimes the duct can become blocked and lead to a buildup of tears leading to watery eyes. You should consult a doctor if you face persistent watery eyes with irritation. It can be a serious problem and may require surgery.
6. Eyelid issues
Eyelids are the natural mechanism for cleaning your eyes. They act by spreading tears in the eye and removing moisture from your eye. The problems occur when your eyelids droop, or grow inwards or outwards. If your eyelids curve inward, they may irritate your eye and make your eye watery. The outward curve of the eyelid disrupts the function of the eyelid leading to eye watering. Saggy or drooping eyelids may get better with ointments or may require surgery. You can also get Botox to prevent your eyelids from turning inward.
7. Stye
A stye causes a tiny yet painful bump in or over your eyelid. It can make your eyes teary, swollen, and red. It can irritate and you may feel the urge to pop it, but do not touch or pop it as it can spread the infection. Bacteria causes Bacteria causes stye and it may get better on its own in a few days. You can keep a warm cloth dipped in water to ease the pain of the stye.
How To Stop Watery Eyes
Some of the ways to stop watery eyes are:
1. Eliminating foreign objects
While some irritants like smoke and pollution are temporary, other objects like wood chips or glass can seriously damage your eye. Your doctor may resolve watery eyes by removing any foreign objects that may irritate your eye and lead to consistent watering eyes.
2. Cleaning tear ducts
If the cause behind your watery eyes is blocking the ear ducts, an eye doctor can help clear them by doing a saline wash in your eye. They may probe the ducts to open them but if they do not open, you may require surgery to open your ducts.
3. Recovering eyelid shape
As a change in eyelid shape can result in teary eyes, fixing the shape of the eyelid can cure the issue. Botox or surgery can bring your eyelids to their usual appearance and prevent watering eyes.
4. Medications
Infections, allergies, or other diseases that can result in watery eyes require medications. Over-the-counter medications may be enough to prevent allergies, but you may need prescription drugs to treat other problems that cause watery eyes. A doctor may recommend artificial tears or ointments in some cases, which can treat your problem.
Home Remedies for Watery Eyes
Are you looking for an easy way to cure watery eyes? Well, we have got you. Following are some simple home remedies that can improve your symptoms.
- Keep your eyes moist if they feel dry with eye drops
- Apply a warm compress over your eyes to ease pain and discomfort
- If you have excessive screen usage, look away from the screen for sometime
- Clean your eye with fresh water if there is something stuck in your eye
Preventing Watery eyes
While there is no way you can completely prevent them, a few measures can prevent them from happening. Being aware and consciously avoiding allergy triggers can lower the chances of your eyes watering. Moreover, wear eye protection to protect your eyes from damage, such as goggles, especially if dealing with sharp objects, or chemicals. Wear glasses to protect your eyes from damage. Lastly, go for a regular checkup every year to ensure that your eyes are in optimal health.
Conclusion
Watery eyes can be harmless in most cases as the eyes are a sensitive part of your body. In some cases, they may point towards an underlying disease that you should get checked before further damage. Watery eyes can be harmless in most cases as the eyes are a sensitive part of your body. In some cases, they may point towards an underlying disease that you should get checked before further damage. There are many causes behind watery eyes, which include allergies, pollutants, pink eye, blepharitis, stye, tear duct blockage, or a change in eyelid shape. Getting sand or dust particles in your eyes can also make your eyes leaky.
Treating watery eyes depends on its cause. Some issues like allergies or objects in your eye can irritate your eyes and make them itchy but can get better quickly and easily. Other causes like eye infections or conditions may require medical treatment. In some cases, you may need surgery to recover. You can also relieve watery eyes with home remedies. These remedies include applying a warm compress, prolonged screen usage, and cleaning your eyes.
To prevent watery eyes, you should stay away from its obvious causes, such as pollution or tiny objects. Avoiding allergy triggers can help treat watery eyes. Usually, watery eyes may resolve quickly, but in some instances, they may require medical attention.
